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Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 143 reviews

This Chicken Souvlaki recipe features tender, marinated chicken cubes grilled to perfection and served with warm Greek pita bread, fresh tomatoes, red onions, and creamy tzatziki sauce. Infused with garlic, lemon, fresh herbs, and oregano, it’s a bright, flavorful dish perfect for a casual dinner or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Marinade and Chicken

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts (about 4)
  • 1/2 cup canola or olive oil
  • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 lemons – juice only (3 if lemons are not very juicy)
  • 6 garlic cloves (smashed)
  • 3 tbsp fresh minced dill weed
  • 3 tbsp fresh minced parsley
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 – 1.5 tsp coarse salt (more or less to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Serving

  • 6–8 Greek pita bread (warmed)
  • 2 tomatoes (sliced)
  • 1/2 red onion (sliced thin)
  • 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce (more or less)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, whisk together canola or olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, smashed garlic, fresh dill, parsley, dried oregano, coarse salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust salt before adding the chicken.
  2. Prepare chicken: Cut chicken breasts into approximately 1-inch cubes. Place them into a large zip-top bag or glass container. Pour marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.
  3. Prepare the grill: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 45 minutes to prevent burning. Preheat grill to medium-high heat with two temperature zones set-up if possible.
  4. Skewer the chicken: Thread 4-5 pieces of marinated chicken onto each soaked skewer, ensuring the pieces are even and not overcrowded.
  5. Grill the chicken kebabs: Place skewers on the hot grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning at a quarter turn each time for even cooking. Total cooking time is 16-20 minutes, depending on thickness. The chicken should be cooked through and slightly charred.
  6. Grill pita bread: While chicken cooks, lightly brush pita breads with olive oil and place on the grill to warm through.
  7. Slice vegetables: Slice tomatoes and thinly slice red onion, arranging on a serving dish.
  8. Serve: Assemble each warm pita bread with grilled chicken pieces, sliced onions, tomatoes, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce.
  9. Alternative cooking method – stovetop: Preheat a skillet over medium to medium-low heat and add a little oil. Place chicken skewers in one even layer without overlapping. Cook, turning every 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through, about 16-20 minutes total. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) or cut into the thickest piece to check doneness.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to infuse but do not exceed 12 hours to avoid texture issues.
  • If you don’t have fresh dill or parsley, you can use dried herbs but reduce the quantity by half.
  • Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
  • Two-zone grilling allows you to sear over high heat then move to a cooler zone to finish cooking without burning.
  • Tzatziki sauce can be store-bought or homemade.
  • For a low-fat option, use only olive oil and avoid adding extra sauce.
  • Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
  • Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Keywords: Chicken Souvlaki, Greek Chicken Skewers, Grilled Chicken, Mediterranean Recipe, Tzatziki, Pita Bread

Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/chicken-souvlaki-recipe/